tthinPsalm 22 |
Matthew 27 |
Future (Praise)
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v. 1: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? |
v. 46: And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” |
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v. 7: All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads. |
v. 39: Those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads. |
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v. 8: “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” |
v. 43: He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, “I am the Son of God.” |
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v. 16: “they pierce my hands and feet” |
(Crucifixion) |
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v. 18: They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. |
v. 35: And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. |
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144 comments
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in your life this week?
We have spent the last week lounging at the beach. It has been very relaxing for sure! I went for long walks, and one morning it began to rain. I didn’t care; it was refreshing. When presented with a very challenging upcoming situation, I feel peace. Thank You Lord! I am so happy I have You to lean on. I don’t know what I would do or be without You.
In your tumultuous life that’s a huge God hunt!
Oh, Laura! So happy for you to have this relaxing time! Amen to this: Thank You Lord! I am so happy I have You to lean on. I don’t know what I would do or be without You.
Laura, great to hear that you got to go to the beach for a refreshing time. So true: I don’t know what I would do or be without You.
Laura, That is just sweet to hear.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”(Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV)
So glad you felt a refreshing from the Lord which brought you peace…continued prayers🙏
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in your life this week? Doing the study of Psalm 8 each day was a wonderful and continual reminder of how great God is making it easy to sense His Presence in prayer and in worship today.
Judy, I agree that Psalm 8 was wonderful!
Amen Judy!!
Love hearing that, Judy!
Judy, I too loved Psalms 8! Keller really made me think. Israel, the weakest, smallest, baddest country, but God uses us, in our weakness, for great things!
Amen, Laura!
Amen to the others. Psalm 8 was such a good study. It truly was balm to my soul.
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in your life this week? – Joe and I are on a short mission trip in Black Mountain, NC doing child care and God has brought 4 different churches together to help spread the gospel. How the body of Christ can come together to help and make the knowledge of Christ known to others who want to learn. It’s amazing
Wow, Julie! what an opportunity for you and Joe. Tell us more if you have time how God “visited” you ( I remembered this was one of your prayers from last week!)
Julie, What a valuable service for the Lord in doing child care. God bless you for doing that special work.
What a great opportunity to serve in doing childcare and see the work God is doing.
Black Mountain is one of our favorite spots and we just got back from Green Mountain, NC which is 60 miles north or where you are.
Continued prayers🙏
That sounds like a great blessing Julie!
Oh, Julie. What a great ministry. I would love to hear more, too. It sounds like a beautiful setting too!
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in your life this week?
It was evident that God was already working before I prayed for some friends this week. The seemingly painful scenario I envisioned in my mind was not true and God spoke truth to my soul and once again proved Himself faithful, loving, always forgiving, and sovereign. What a mighty God we serve!
Bing, it’s so wonderful to see how God worked in this situation…He is always faithful, loving, forgiving and Sovereign!!
Bing, a wondeful testimony of the goodness of God and how He works things out for good
Yes indeed, Bing! He is a mighty, wonderful God 😉!
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in your life this week?
My husband and I spent last week in the NC mountains celebrating our 48th anniversary. While I didn’t post anything last week I did follow the lesson and read all your wonderful and encouraging comments. Seeing the Blue Ridge Mountains, rivers, waterfalls, sunsets, flowers, birds, butterflies and deer…it was perfect timing to be in Psalm 8 as I “saw the works of His fingers!” It is truly humbling that He is mindful of me.
Happy Anniversary Sharon and Jim! Wonderful you could get away.
Happy anniversary to you and your husband, Sharon! what timing to be in Psalm 8! I can’t help but share this verse from the song, All creatures of our God and King as I read your comments about the beauty of God’s creation:
All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your voice and with us sing Alleluia! Alleluia!Thou burning sun with golden beam, Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
48 years! Wowie-zowie! What a joy! Yes, perfect for Psalms 8. Congratulations!
Sharon,
How sweet to get away with your husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A beautiful place in God’s creation.
Happy Anniversary, Sharon! So thankful for the many years you and your husband have shared. I love how you saw Psalm 8 in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Thank you all for the sweet anniversary wishes 😊❤️ and Bing, love that song…absolutely perfect!
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in your life this week?
The presence of God thru the Spirit was evident at our last women’s bible study, As we reviewed all that we had learned (including memory verses), I could see the growth of these women in grace and knowledge. There was a renewed hungering for the Word. As we visited over snacks, we chatted about the Lord and His great love for us, and our commitment to loving Him. ~ Falling in Love With Jesus (Dee Brestin & Kathy Troccoli)
That’s wonderful, Cheryl!
What a wonderful Praise, Cheryl.
Monday: The Text
2. Read Psalm 22:1-5
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart)
— “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?”
The Psalmist feels abandoned and like he is not being heard in his time of groaning for help.
—In Matthew 27:46 this is what Jesus cried out while he was on the Cross.
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that.
—Because at that point on the Cross Jesus was separated from God his Father who as a holy God and could not look on sin and turned away. At that point Jesus became the sacrifice for our sin so it was what had to happen to accomplish our salvation. The fact that it happened verified he was the acceptable sacrifice for our sin.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4?
—It is a heart rending cry of anguish from the soul suffering a deep and complete loss of relationship. It speaks of a painful emptiness.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing?
—It clearly gives us permission to cry out to God and not hold back the truth of painful struggles. To lay it all out before Him.
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ?
—These verses outline the humiliation and despicable treatment of Christ on the Cross described in Matthew 27 verses 35,39,41-43.
He was at the lowest hardest place anyone could be.
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11?
—In spite of the horrible treatment that makes it appear his life is worthless and he’s abandoned by God the truth is his birth was ordained by God and God embraced him at birth, taught him about Himself and remains his God since the day he was born.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!)
—Hmmm? I had just assumed it is continuing to be the voice of Jesus. Interested in what Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have to say.
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus.
—My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.
—My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
—You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
—My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me.
—They have pierced my hands and feet.
—My enemies stare at me and gloat.
—They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.”
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah?
—The day was and now is where Jesus came to save.
Royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations. He has been installed as King.
“Children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.”
These verses have come true.
List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it.
—“For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.”
Psalms 22:28 NLT
Since we live in a time of world and national chaos I find great comfort in this verse. The posturing by nations and governments that is taking place the world over would be extremely fearful if it weren’t for the knowledge of Jesus and Who he is. He reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is in control.
So true, Bev. He is in control.
2. Read Psalm 22:1-5
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart)
He wonders why God Has forsaken him. Why he never answers him. This is fulfilled in Matthew 27:46.
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that.
He is feeling alone right then. He wonders why God is so far, when the plan was to come to save others. He came, with Words for all, about life eternal.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4?
The lament is the outcry of the pain and the truth is remembering God. He remembers how God has helped him in the past. He knows He will help again. He knows he will not always be in trouble.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing?
Although I don’t see His hand at work, He is there. He is with me because He has been with me before. He has helped me through awful times in the past.
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ?
He curses himself. He says people laugh at him and mock him. This is found in Matthew 27:39 about Jesus.
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11?
He reminds himself that God is the One who created him and loved him through his mother. He asks Him to be near during this time also.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!)
I think it’s God, but could it also be Joseph? The last line doesn’t fit, but the others are talking about him literally being born. But then this is being written by David, so would it be his father? Jesse?
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus.
His enemies surround him. He is being devoured, piece by piece, like lions would eat their prey. His bones are out of joint. His tongue sticks to the roof of his mouth. He is laid in the dust. His hands and feet are pierced. His enemies stare and gloat. They divide his clothing among them and roll dice for it.
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it.
The future is that people who seek Him will praise His name.
They will come to Him.
They will have joy.
All the Earth will acknowledge and bow before Him.
Children and future generations will remember Him.
All the Earth acknowledging and bowing before Him. I struggle with this, in that Christianity is dissolving in the US, however, around the world it is burgeoning. Are we not near the end times even though we are living in this upside down world where good is bad and bad is good? If these were the end times we should see all nations turning toward Christ, not away. And, who knows the timeframe? Is this part of the end times? Only God knows.
Monday: The Text
2. Read Psalm 22:1-5
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart)
David laments that he feels God has forsaken him in the midst of his trials, that God has turned away from his cries for help. Jesus used the same phrase in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 as he suffers on the cross. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that.
By echoing David’s words Jesus proves His identification with humanity (our representative). Sin is what separates us from God. For Jesus (who is part of the triune God) to feel that same separation, He must have taken our sin upon Himself. He endured that separation from God the Father, so that we could be reconciled. There was no other way.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4?
David turns from his lament to what he knows to be true about God. God is holy, faithful to His people, mighty to save, worthy of praise. David lifts his eyes off his circumstances and looks up.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing?
God loves me and He is in control. Ph’p 4:8 “Whatsoever things are true…think on these things.”
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ?
He laments that he has become an object of ridicule, no longer a man but a worm. People are scornfully laughing at him and mocking his faith in God. The same happens to Jesus: Matthew 27:39 “they..reviled him, wagging their heads,” vs. 43 “He trusted in God, let him deliver him now, if he will save him.”
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11?
We are the Lord’s creation, His beloved, He is near and will help when no one else can or will.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!)
I think it’s talking about how we are created by God, from the moment of conception to birth to living outside the womb. He is God through every stage of life, whether or not men choose to acknowledge Him; He is God.
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus.
“..all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; my strength is dried up; my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; brought to the dust of death; assembly of the wicked have enclosed me; pierced my hands and feet; I may tell all my bones; they part my garments…cast lots upon my vesture,”
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it.
The Messiah will reign over all the nations. Everyone will bow before Him and worship Him.
In this section the words “praise,” “glorify,” and “worship” are repeated. As I meditate on these words, a song repeats in my mind:
I was made to praise YouI was made to glorify Your NameIn every circumstanceTo find a chance to thank YouI was made to love YouI was made to worship at Your feetAnd to obey You LordI was made for You
One day every person living or already passed, will acknowledge the truth and praise and worship the Lord.
Amen! Cheryl! I think it’s talking about how we are created by God, from the moment of conception to birth to living outside the womb. He is God through every stage of life, whether or not men choose to acknowledge Him; He is God.
This is so good:
I was made to praise You. I was made to glorify Your Name, In every circumstance. To find a chance to thank You. I was made to love You I was made to worship at Your feet And to obey You Lord I was made for YouOne day every person living or already passed, will acknowledge the truth and praise and worship the Lord.
Patti, you can listen to this song on youtube. I first heard it on a cd that accompanied a study (by Dee) titled a woman looks at the Psalms. At least I think that was the title, lol.
Thank you, Cheryl Ann!
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in your life this week?
Psalm 8 has been so encouraging to me in many ways. I am continuing in the Sunday School class, which has been out of my comfort zone, yet good for me. Saw a wonderful answer to prayer for a friend at church, who is involved in music for VBS.
Patti, I am so inspired by your going to SS which is out of your comfort zone as I know that would not be easy. Also, loved hearing how God answered prayer for your friend doing the music at VBS…God is good.
Monday: The Text
2. Read Psalm 22:1-5
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart)
The Psalmist feels abandoned by God, that He is far away when he groans for help. During the day He doesn’t answer him and at night he lifts his voice but finds no relief.
Matthew 27:46
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that.
Jesus knew that He was sent to the world to die for our sins and during that time on the cross of taking on sin, His Father could not look upon Him and He would feel abandoned and not heard in His groans for help. I can’t help but think about Philippians 2:6-8… “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4?
He puts aside his feelings and goes to what he knows is true about God…He is holy and enthroned where the praises of Israel are offered. He knows his ancestors trusted God and that He rescued them. When they cried out, He saved them. They trusted in Him and were never disgraced.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing?
That I need to replace my doubts, fears and feelings with the truth of His Word and who He is, as He is never changing.
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ?
He feels more like a worm than a man. He is scorned, despised and mocked by all. They sneer and shake their heads saying, “Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him. If the Lord loves him so much, let Him rescue him.”
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11?
He remembers that the Lord brought him safely from his mother’s womb and was led to trust Him at his mother’s breast. He was thrust into His arms at his birth and has been his God from the moment he was born. He then asks Him not to stay so far from him, for trouble is near, and no one else can help him.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!)
I think it’s talking about Jesus as He was placed in the womb of a virgin by the Holy Spirit and the Lord, His Father brought Him safely out. Jesus knew to trust in His Father during this time of being abandoned and that He would once again bring Him safely out.
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus.
”My life is poured out like water.” “All my bones are out of joint.” “They have pierced my hands and feet.”
“They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.”
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it.
A few that stood out to me…
He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
All who seek the Lord will praise Him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
He rules all the nations.
”He rules all the nations,” took me back to our study of Psalm 2. He is the King of kings and kings/rulers on this earth are warned to act wisely and serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. It gives me great comfort to know that He rules the nations and not those who think they do…He is Sovereign, reigns over all!
Amen, Sharon! It gives me great comfort to know that He rules the nations and not those who think they do…He is Sovereign, reigns over all!
I think verses 9-10 are about Jesus as well. I think of how He was protected from Herod. There is a mystery here for me in Jesus being fully man and fully God –did He need God The Spirit’s power to help Him trust God the Father from birth?
2. Read Psalm 22:1-5
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart)
Why has God forsaken me? I cannot hear you or see you, when I am crying out to you in my agony. You are the Holy God of Israel and you are turning away from me.
“My God, My God why have You forsaken me? This is what Jesus cried upon the cross, when He took on all our sin; Because God is a Holy God, He could not look upon that sin, that His Son had taken on for our sake.
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that.
Because Jesus willingly took the punishment we all deserve. He spoke about being the Son of God and not all believed Him. Even the disciples did not fully understand that He would take on our sin the way He did, on the cross. He came to take our punishment, because we could not live up to the law of God, the Father.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4?
God is Holy. Those who trusted in Him, were delivered.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing?
God is trust-worthy. We cannot see where He is taking us, yet we need to trust Him, even in the midst of our fear, sorrow, and insecurity in this world.
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ?
It is fulfilled in Matthew 27: 33-46. At the crucifixion, those passing by were wagging their heads and shouting abuses to Him. They mocked Him and said if He was the king of Israel, let Him save Himself; let God rescue Him if He delights in Him.
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11?
He is expressing his trust in God, in all that is happening.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!)
He seems to be speaking of Jesus. He knows that God has planned his life and death, since before he was born.
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus.
v 14: I am poured out like water; All my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; It is melted within me. My strength is dried up; My tongue cleaves to my jaws; dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers encompassed me. They pierce my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. The stare at they divide my garment among them, And cast lots for my clothing.
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it.
“For the kingdom is the Lord’s ” “And He rules over the nations. ”
“It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.”
His Word is living and active. We have His Word and it continues to be revealed. We are living in a time of many prophecies being fulfilled before our eyes. Israel is hated more than ever. All nations have turned from her. I am so thankful for the Word of God. If we are wise, we will be watching and listening to see these words come to life. I pray that more come to know Him in the days ahead. The world is changing quickly. Praise God that He is with us.
“God is trust-worthy. We cannot see where He is taking us, yet we need to trust Him, even in the midst of our fear, sorrow, and insecurity in this world. ” Yes, Patti, that is the only way to live a life of joy and purpose.
I agree with your prayer, Patti — for all of us.
Monday: The Text
2. Read Psalm 22:1-5
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart) – The lament is, he’s wondering where God is in his struggles. He knows that he is the Holy One, but he doesn’t feel his presence. Jesus cried out the same thing and took our place on the cross in Matthew 27:46
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that. – I think he is letting us know that because he took our place, God, our Father has not forsaken us. We have been spared from that because of Jesus. He took our soon, so we could stay close to our Heavenly Father.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4? – though he cries out and doesn’t feel God’s presence, he knows by how their fathers trusted in God and were delivered.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing? – It’s ok to be sad and cry out. He wants to he us declare our struggles, but he also wants to know that our trust is in Him and that we be,I’ve we will be delivered, like our fathers before us.
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? – He is treated like a worm and despised and mocked by those who think they are better than him. Jesus took this on in Matthew 27:39 as he was walking toward his crucifixion.
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11? – From our very first breath, God took care of us by providing what we needed. He was the only one we could depend on and especially during times of trouble.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!) – To me it sounds like he is talking about believers. He provides for those who know him, the instant they confess he’s their Savior. But Jesus is probably the only one that had the Heavenly Father as his God from inside the womb. The rest of us have a choice to make before we can say he’s our God. We have to choose him, but Jesus is part of the Trinity from the start.
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus. – It seems like all of them happened to Jesus in this section, especially, vs 15 ‘my tongue sticks to the roof my mouth; vs 16 ‘evil men encircled him’; vs 17 people stare and gloat’; vs 18 ‘they divide my garments among them and cast lots’
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it. – He has not hidden himself from us. Everyone to the ends of the earth will know him because dominion belongs to him and he will rule over all the nations. I love being comforted knowing that God is in control and he will be ruling this world. The world He created will be his again and all of us that believe that and in Him will have an eternal place next to him in heaven.
It is a mystery– we did have to choose Him yet we are told we would not have chosen Him had He not first chosen us.
I wonder that all the time Dee, why He chose me as one of his own.
This is such a good reminder, Julie: I love being comforted knowing that God is in control and he will be ruling this world. The world He created will be his again and all of us that believe that and in Him will have an eternal place next to him in heaven.
Monday: The Text
2. Read Psalm 22:1-5
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart)
The speaker lamented that God had forsaken him.
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that.
The verse tells us of Jesus’ humanity and His example to draw near to the Father during the most intense and deepest pain He will and has experienced. He was willing to suffer the consequence of being separated from the Father to show His great love for you and me.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4?
The lament is an honest acknowledgment of how the psalmist felt which shows us that we can come to Him with all of our questions and conflicting emotions. But vs. 3-4 reminded him who and where God is during these times- God and He is on his throne. And since He is on His throne, it means He is sovereign over all of our circumstances.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing?
I can bring my lament to God and speak truth to my soul. Not to let my emotions override the truth even when I do not understand. And to be still before Him.
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ?
People are mocking, making fun of him, and questioning the character of his Lord. In Matthew 27:39 and 43 where Christ is mocked by the soldiers and those who passed by.
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11?
That the psalmist was not a “mistake” from the beginning. He affirmed that god has always been with him since he was in his mother’s womb. He is confident that the One who put him in his mother’s womb will carry him through this time of trouble. The Creator taking care of His creation.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!)
Both David and Jesus? David as the psalmist and Jesus reflecting that it is the Father who planted Him in His virgin mother’s womb?
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus.
“Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me.I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”
I bolded the phrases I thought referred to Jesus although I thought “bulls, lions, and dogs” could refer to the vicious soldiers religious leaders, and people who crucified Jesus.
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it.
We will bow down (vs. 27 and 29 before the Messiah. I think of Philippians 2:10 “hat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and those under the earth…
” Not to let my emotions override the truth even when I do not understand.” .Easier said than done sometimes. Thank you for the reminder
Cheryl Ann, so true. I am often 1 step forward with trusting the truth and 2 steps back to doubting. He loves me nevertheless and I am thankful. and if I let the truth sink in and believe it, He gives me His peace. It is a mystery.
Amen to Bing and Cheryl!
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart) Writer is asking why God has forsaken him though he cries out to him in anguish and can find no rest. Matthew 27:46.
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that. All sin was resting on Christ blinding Him to the Father. Sin separates us from God.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4? The psalmist says God is enthroned and Israel praises Him. He is the One to trust for deliverance
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing? I can tell God how I am feeling then praise Him and remind myself how good God is and that He delivers His people.
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? He tells God his feeling of no value and how he is scorned, despised, mocked and insulted. They express disdain that he is counting on God to deliver him.Matthew 27:39, 43
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11? The comfort that it is God who was with Him from conception and was watching over and calling him. He also states that God has been his God from birth.
C. Who do you think verse 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!) David himself was moved by the spirit and felt the intimacy with his connection to God but also Jesus would later fulfill this. To have written such a moving psalm David would have felt the connection to God as he wrote it.
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus. The strong bulls encircling, roaring lions wanting to tear their prey, being poured out like water, bones out of joints, dry mouth, being laid dust of death villains encircle me, piercing of hands and deer, all bones on display, people stare and gloat, divide cloths and cast lots for my garments
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship, all who go down to the dust will kneel before him, posterity will serve him. Future generations will be told about the Lord, they will proclaim His righteousness declaring to a people yet unborn, He has done it. Declaring to a people yet unborn, speaks to me of the faithfulness of God and the wonder that my descendants if Christ doesn’t return will have the wonderful opportunity to know Him and worship Him. I love that generation after generation God turns people to Himself and His Son. It gos back to the magnificence, wisdom and glory we studied last week.
Liked this from Judy: To have written such a moving psalm David would have felt the connection to God as he wrote it.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in your life this week? God has give me many occasions this week to see and experience the closeness between my kids, their wives, all of our grandchildren, my husband and myself. I think that it may be because it was contrasted what I saw with other family members this week and how some of them rarely see their grandkids or their kids don’t seem to want to come around.
Dawn, that is surely a gift. I am glad to hear about the closeness among your kids and their families.
That speaks so highly of the love in your family!
Love this, Dawn. The closeness of family is such a gift.
2. Read Psalm 22:1-5
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Why has God forsaken me? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart) In Matthew 27 when Jesus hung on the cross.
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that. Because He came to be our sin and God cannot look upon sin.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4? He’s asking why God has forsaken him, yet he follows it with reminders of God’s faithfulness in the past.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing? Always remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.
3. Read Psalm 22:6-11
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? That he is despised and scorned by man. Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? Matthew 27 when Christ was being crucified and people were mocking him.
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11? That God has always been with him since he was in his mother’s womb.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!) It sounds to me like David is talking about himself. Because Christ was with God before the foundations of earth, not just since his time on earth.
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus. He was poured out like water, evildoers encircle him, his hands and feet were pieced, they stare and gloat over him, they divided and cast lots for his clothes.
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it. All of the world will glorify him and stand in awe of him. The kingship belongs to the Lord and he rules all of the nations. They shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,that he has done it. We are the people yet unborn that David speaks of. We are proclaiming his glory and will continue to teach the generations that follow.
Listen/Read from the beginning up to Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery.
6. What stands out and why?
Since this was the most important quote from the most important man, we need to understand this Psalm.
I’m not sure how much I have studied this Psalm, so I need to pay attention!
7. What are some things that Keller lists that do not fit with David’s life or behavior?
We know so much about David, and we know that he was never executed. Back in those days, if a king were overthrown, there would be no trial. He was just executed.
David would not have been submissive. He was all about justice and crying out for the perpetrator to be punished. These verses show a submissive nature.
There is an absence of God here. David is crying out for help but God is silent. Then all of the sudden it talks about his deliverance and how all the nations will bow to him, the king. Strange.
8. Have you been confused by this psalm in the past? Why or why not?
Honestly, much of the Bible confuses me! So, probably, I would say yes in answering the question. The reason is that I really never seem to know who is taking or what they are talking about, in general. The Bible isn’t written in a straight forward manner. And, it’s connected. So if you don’t know one story or event you won’t necessarily know another. I think that’s why I like it though, and I don’t give up. It’s like a puzzle and I’m always learning new things!
I agree, Laura! It is like a puzzle and it is so cool when we see something that was always there and we can suddenly connect the dots!! Thank you, Dee, for including this mysterious Psalm!!!
Tuesday: The Mystery
6. What stood out to me was realizing that from the time of David until the cross of Jesus, the Jewish nation would have had no idea what David was referring to when describing the execution. I had never thought about that since we are on the opposite end of the spectrum knowing about Jesus.
7. Keller mentions the public scorn, tongue swollen from extreme thirst, emaciated body, hands and feet pierced, and the absence of God. This is a public execution, which never happened to David yet he speaks of it in the first person. David does not speak out to God crying for justice ass in other Psalms such as Psalm 28:4. David always cries out to God for help, but not here.
8. I haven’t been confused by this Psalm, because I’ve always viewed it as prophetic.
Amen, Cheryl Ann: What stood out to me was realizing that from the time of David until the cross of Jesus, the Jewish nation would have had no idea what David was referring to when describing the execution.
Cheryl,…love how you worded your answer to #6, so good.
Amen, Cheryl, to Patti and Sharon!
Tuesday: The Mystery of the Psalm
Listen/Read from the beginning up to Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery.
6. What stands out and why?
—I always thought of this as a Psalm referring clearly to Christ at the time of his crucifixion but never understood how it related to David as the writer of the Psalm.
7. What are some things that Keller lists that do not fit with David’s life or behavior?
—it is a picture of an execution taking place with a public trial. In fact in those times that wouldn’t have happened because kings were quickly deposed and killed by a coup. He points out David would never have passively submitted to such injustice as is described. From reading many of his Psalms he absolutely didn’t take injustice quietly but vented pretty loudly against it.
Keller also points out that David would never have seen himself being the one delivered who would lead a mass conversion of all the peoples of earth to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (the One True God) and that endless generations would remember him as being delivered.
8. Have you been confused by this psalm in the past? Why or why not?
—Honestly no, because I never have read the Psalm or studied it in a way to analyze the particulars of David as the writer and the reality of it being a prophecy regarding Christ. Over the years I have often heard it referred to in sermons and other teaching as a Messianic psalm and how the references relating to Jesus on the Cross are quite clear. Especially the famous opening words as recited by Jesus on the Cross. I kind of just took that as face value .
What I never picked up on before is how this Psalm was associated with David in writing it and how he would had to have been perhaps bewildered by it and Keller said “How in the world the original readers would have read it, I have no idea. “
The fact is they would have had no real frame of reference for it. For me now looking at it and taking what Keller teaches here shows me the mystery and amazing reality of how accurate it was as a prophecy.
I think many of us would agree with Bev on this:
What I never picked up on before is how this Psalm was associated with David in writing it and how he would had to have been perhaps bewildered by it and Keller said “How in the world the original readers would have read it, I have no idea. “
Bev, Amen to Dee. Such a good point!
6. What stands out and why?
This is such an amazing and prophetic Psalm. It is filled with truth and mystery. Looking back in history, we can now see and understand it. Did David understand it? What prompted him to write this Psalm? There will always be many questions about it, but it demonstrates so well how God has used His people through history, to share His story and prophecy, even though they did not have full understanding about what they were gifted to write. David was inspired to write about that which is had no knowledge. Did he know about what he wrote? It is truly a mystery, yet truly filled with truth. This is such a good reason to stay close to God’s Word and to know and understand it. Knowing God’s Word protects from false prophets.
7. What are some things that Keller lists that do not fit with David’s life or behavior?
None of the things mentioned in the Psalm did or could happen to David at this time in history.
David was not submissive about things in his life. He was always crying out in faith.
This is the most extreme situation and the most extreme injustice, seen anywhere in Psalms, yet David is not crying out for God to smash the perpetrators.
He talks about future generations of the earth being told and remembering this event; of turning to the Lord; he speaks of all nations coming to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, not just Israel.
8. Have you been confused by this psalm in the past? Why or why not?
I have lots of notes in my Bible around the Psalm, about Jesus on the cross and the crucifixion, yet I never truly studied it in depth this way.
I love how it shows that God used David, though David had sinned in some pretty radical ways. God still loved him. He was still used by God, to spread His Word and he truly loved God. Repentance is so important to God. He knows how flawed we all are and He is a great God who forgives and loves repentant hearts. He used David in great ways for His great purposes at that time and for future generations. How I wonder what David was thinking as he wrote these words.
Patti, this is so true…”knowing God’s word protects from false prophets.” There have been times I’ve wanted to shout this from the pulpit of our church, but God reels me in and shows me to extend grace…a real struggle!
Love this from Patti:
I love how it shows that God used David, though David had sinned in some pretty radical ways. God still loved him. He was still used by God, to spread His Word and he truly loved God. Repentance is so important to God. He knows how flawed we all are and He is a great God who forgives and loves repentant hearts. He used David in great ways for His great purposes at that time and for future generations.
1. When a hard thing happened this week, that will mean waiting with anxiety on how God will allow things to turn out, God first gave me the verse, ‘For God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self discipline (It was the day’s bible verse). Then in relation to the incident God also was kind and answered through the Sunday’s sermon on John 9, that what had happened was not punishment, or because I did something wrong but part of bringing himself glory.
A. What is the lament in verses 1-2? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? (See above chart) Why did you leave me, why do you not save me. You do not answer me and I find no rest. When Christ cries this sentiment out loud. Maybe because this cry and deepest need, it emanates from all of us, and its actually Jesus who does not forsake us but answers and saves us and gives us rest.
B. Keller says vs. 1 is Christ’s most important quote telling us why He came and what He is all about. Take your best guess at why Keller thinks that. Maybe because this cry and deepest need, it emanates from all of us, and its actually Jesus who does not forsake us but answers and saves us and gives us rest.
C. How do you see the lament in 1-2 followed by truth spoken to the soul in 3-4? The why have you abandoned me, not saved me, or answered me is followed by a reminder that God is holy and has been trustworthy in the past, He has rescued and been trustworthy.
D. What do you learn from this about how to pray when you are sad and don’t understand what God is doing? He doesn’t belittle or minimize His feelings or experience, He doesn’t say ‘hey God is holy and He has been trustworthy before to my fathers and rescued them, so I shouldn’t feel so glum’. He starts by being real and transparent. ‘Where are you God, why have you left me al0ne in this pain and sorrow, I am crying out to you, but there is no rest for me’ but He doesn’t leave it there He then remembers what is true about God, and what He has done, even if He is not currently seeing or experiencing it.
A. What is the lament in verses 6-8? Where in the N. T. is this fulfilled by Christ? That He is scorned by the people who mock Him. When the people responded to Christ in this way.
B. How is truth spoken to the soul in verses 9-11? That God was involved in His life from birth and that God had been His God from His first breath.
C. Who do you think verses 9-10 is talking about? Why? (Hint: Scholars disagree. Matthew Henry and Spurgeon have different responses!) Poetic way of saying that God’s influence and Spirit were upon Him from the very first.
4. Read Psalm 22:12-18 (THE MYSTERY!) Now we move into the part that no longer sounds like David’s experience at all. List some of the phrases that did not happen to David but did happen to Jesus. The have pierced all my bones, and they have cast lots for my clothing.
5. Read Psalm 22:19-31. What does the Spirit reveal to David about the future of the Messiah? List a few things that truly stand out to you and take just one, meditate on it, and then comment on it. Vs. 24 When God allows or using affliction in our lives, He does not turn away in disgust or despise us. But indeed is present, and hears our cries.
Tammy, love your answer to #1…”not punishment…but part of bringing Himself glory.” Amen!
Tammy, Amen to Sharon! I love this too: When God allows or using affliction in our lives, He does not turn away in disgust or despise us. But indeed is present, and hears our cries.
Tuesday: The Mystery of the Psalm
Listen/Read from the beginning up to Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery.
6. What stands out and why?
1. The importance of understanding this Psalm.
2. The difficulty and mysterious writing of this Psalm.
3. In a Psalm with extreme injustice, David isn’t crying out for justice.
4. How would the original readers interpret this Psalm without knowing what we know today of Jesus?
7. What are some things that Keller lists that do not fit with David’s life or behavior?
He never had a public trial where people are jeering at him (6-8) or gloating or scorning him (17).
He was never put up for execution where he’s dying of thirst so his tongue swells up and he begins to choke (15), he’s emaciated so you can see his bones (17), and his hands and feet have been pierced (16).
He was never executed where lots were cast for his garments (18).
8. Have you been confused by this psalm in the past? Why or why not?
I’m sure when I first read it I had confusion and lack of understanding, but having heard sermons on this Psalm have really helped in my understanding to interpret it as prophetic. It is nice to have the advantage of knowing about Jesus and what He went through for me.
Tuesday: The Mystery of the Psalm
Listen/Read from the beginning up to Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery.
6. What stands out and why?
This psalm is indeed a mystery! It does not make sense to just say this whole psalm applied to David. He is but a man and he couldn’t possibly be the one who would lead the conversion of the nations. Perhaps just like many prophets in the OT, this was a prophecy about Jesus revealed to David?
7. What are some things that Keller lists that do not fit with David’s life or behavior?
These: “inexplicable juridical nature of his treatment, the inexplicable submissiveness of David to the treatment, and, of course, lastly, the inexplicable absence of God.”
8. Have you been confused by this psalm in the past? Why or why not?
I have been confused about this psalm before as to who was speaking. I felt like 2 people were speaking. Now I am glad that this could be explained here.
6. What stands out and why? I have never put all this together Psalm 22 I thought was prophetic about Christ and I never had the insight to look at it form the viewpoint of David and wonder.
7. What are some things that Keller lists that do not fit with David’s life or behavior? Not mentioned that David had a public trial and being executed, his pierced hands and feet. Lots cast for his clothing, David’s submission to what went on. That his death would result in all families of earth will bow before him. Endless generations will remember this deliverance.
8. Have you been confused by this psalm in the past? Why or why not? I didn’t. I just don’t always think that deep. Unfortunately I can read stuff and move on and not question.
Your last response made me smile. Keller said in one sermon that we all do that! I know I do.
Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery
Read or listen up to “What does it mean practically for us?”
9. What does Acts 2:31 say? What does this tell you?
—It says David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave Jesus among the dead. Peter in his comments in Acts says David was God’s prophet and he by the power of the Holy Spirit foresaw and spoke of the Christ in Psalm 22.
10. First, what does Keller make of the fact that Jesus was quiet during the beatings, during his being nailed to the cross, during his physical suffering but screamed about something else. What was it and what does this tell you?
—He says in the intense physical suffering Jesus knew the need for himself to be the true sacrifice and endured it but when he cried out My God, My God he was experiencing something far more deeply painful because for the first time in all of eternity he was separated and cut off from his Father. Keller says “He experienced absolute infinite spiritual disruption.”
It tells me Christ suffered the ultimate deepest pain so I would never have to be separated from God my Father.
11. Why does Keller say that though Jesus cry of “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” though seeming like He is losing His grip, is the opposite?
—In that desperate cry Jesus was asserting his intimate love for God his Father when he said “My”. He was staying faithful to “his” God and not rejecting Him in his terrible suffering.
Sadly many people reject and blame God when they suffer hard things rather than cling to the fact that He is “their” personal intimate God and Father and like Jesus say “My” God!
12. What was Keller’s point about the story of the crashed airliner into the icy Potomac River?
—The man who became a rescuer to many gave up his safety and went into danger so those in danger could have safety and those about to die could have life. He became like Christ on the Cross who went into danger so those in danger could have safety and those about to die could have life. That’s what Jesus has done for us.
13. Infinite faithfulness and infinite suffering = infinite redemption.
Wednesday: The Solution
9. In Acts 2:29-31 Peter calls David a prophet when he wrote “..neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10). David is dead and buried; he is speaking of the Christ which is to come and His resurrection, not David’s.
Peter confirms that David is a prophet, pointing to fulfilled prophecy as proof. Therefore in Psalm 22, as David is in distress himself, meditating on that and God, he utters more prophecy about Christ’s suffering, resurrection, and eternal reign.
10. Jesus was silent during all the physical pain and suffering, “he could take it” Keller says. When Jesus screams, “My God, My God” it tells us that “He is experiencing something infinitely beyond, worse than physical suffering.”
Only now am I seeing the sharp contrast that Keller highlights. I understood why Jesus cried out at the separation from God (having become sin for us), but did not focus on the screaming of those words. The agony and anguish of His spirit, when He experiences for the first time, in all eternity, absolute separation from God the Father. All that physical suffering and exquisite pain, and he says not one word, yet screams at separation from God.
That is hell. That is what Jesus did for me, so that I would never know the agony he suffered, hell, separation from God.
11. Though it may seem to some that Jesus was “losing his grip” when he cried out to God, it really showed covenant faithfulness. My God, My God.
12. Keller tells the Potomac River story to explain the purpose of a rescuer. “Rescuers give up their safety and go into danger so those in danger can have safety. And very often, the ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate substitution, is the rescuers give up their lives so that those who are about to die get theirs back.”
Another song echoing in my mind, “Wonderful, Merciful Savior.” “Who would have thought that a lamb could rescue the souls of men? Oh, You rescue the souls of men.”
Indeed, a lamb did rescue us, sisters! He is worthy of all honor, glory, worship, and praise!!!!!
13. Infinite suffering + Infinite faithfulness = Infinite redemption
I love “Wonderful, Merciful, Savior!”
By chance I listened to wonderful merciful Savior this evening.
Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery
Read or listen up to “What does it mean practically for us?”
9. What does Acts 2:31 say? What does this well you? “David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.”
Keller says, “Peter is saying that David was suffering, and he was meditating and reflecting on his suffering…but as he did so, by the power of the Holy Spirit, he got prophetic insight into a Greater David, who was going to go through a greater suffering.”
10. First, what does Keller make of the fact that Jesus was quiet during the beatings, during his being nailed to the cross, during his physical suffering but screamed about something else. What was it and what does this tell you?
His physical suffering didn’t compare to being separated from His Father. “My God, My God, why have Your abandoned Me.” I know that Jesus paid for the penalty of my sin and that only in Him I am made righteous but, I still have the power of sin to deal with and this tells me the importance of abiding in Him and in His Word to help me overcome temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit. If I’m living in sin…that sin separates me from God and I know from experience, that is a miserable place to be, a place of suffering.
11. Why does Keller say that though Jesus cry of “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” though seeming like He is losing His grip, is the opposite?
”My God,” to Jesus was the language of covenant faithfulness and intimacy.
12. What was Keller’s point about the story of the crashed airliner into the icy Ptoomoac River?
The man who dove into the icy river to rescue people from the plane was giving up his safety and going into danger so that those in danger would be rescued and live. After bringing up people and diving back in to rescue more he eventually never came up. He sacrificed his life so many could live, just as Christ did on the cross
13. Infinite faithfulness and infinite suffering = infinite redemption.
This is powerful and true, Sharon! Thank you! this tells me the importance of abiding in Him and in His Word to help me overcome temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit. If I’m living in sin…that sin separates me from God and I know from experience, that is a miserable place to be, a place of suffering.
6. What stands out and why? Keller sets up clearly the mystery of this psalm. It emphasizes the mystery at hand.
7. What are some things that Keller lists that do not fit with David’s life or behavior? Things like how the person being spoken of is executed. How there will be future salvation of many nations not just Israel.
8. Have you been confused by this psalm in the past? Why or why not? I have been guilty of being like, oh well this is prophetic about Jesus, but I never really broke it down, and tried to understand. Like I think Keller said earlier, I can read stuff that I don’t understand and just keep moving without doing the work to understand.
9. What does Acts 2:31 say? What does this well you? How powerful my God is, how He sees our end from our beginning.
10. First, what does Keller make of the fact that Jesus was quiet during the beatings, during his being nailed to the cross, during his physical suffering but screamed about something else. What was it and what does this tell you? All that physical torture He was able to manage, but separation from His God the father was beyond all this physical pain.
11. Why does Keller say that though Jesus cry of “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” though seeming like He is losing His grip, is the opposite? Because when He claimed God as His God He was claiming a covenant relationship an intimacy that He was not letting go of.
12. What was Keller’s point about the story of the crashed airliner into the icy Potomac River? That we are impacted by the story of the one who is in safety and security giving up what they have so that others who are not safe and in danger can be made safe and secure.
13. Infinite faithfulness and infinite suffering = infinite_____________________. Redemption. Oh God of infinity, I cannot wrap my mind, around your faithfulness. So often I have experienced man’s fickleness, his arbitrary definition of love, one is always in a transactional relationship. I feel so vulnerable to the foolishness of the men around me. This message of infinite faithfulness in the face of infinite suffering is beyond me. My prayer today is that I and the ladies studying this with me would believe that your love is infinitely high, infinitely wide and infinitely deep. Lord help my unbelief.
I so love your answer to 13, Tammy!! Thank you for the beautiful prayer for all of us. I agree with your prayer.
Amen to your prayer for all of us, Tammy!
Amen to your prayer, Tammy. May we not lose sight of who God is, and who we are.
Tuesday: The Mystery of the Psalm
Listen/Read from the beginning up to Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery.
6. What stands out and why? – How Tim Keller brought to light that fact that how this Psalm reads is complete opposite of David’s life. He wasn’t one to sit by quietly and do nothing. He called for justice when something was against the laws of the land. It’s made me realize that when I read scripture, I need to really know the background of the ‘characters’ or how the times were in the period I’m reading about. These changes in the way I read will make a huge difference in the context of scripture.
7. What are some things that Keller lists that do not fit with David’s life or behavior? – If this was about David, they would not have held a public execution. They would have just killed him and took over the thrown. And David would not have sat quietly taking this beating/execution. He would have cried out for justice.
8. Have you been confused by this psalm in the past? Why or why not? – I think what confuses me is because it is known as a Psalm of David, so I assume it’s about him. But as the verses go on, it definitely pointed to Jesus’ execution and death on the cross and I knew that it did. That twist in reading it made me wonder.
9. What does Acts 2:31 say? What does this tell you?
David was prophesying about Jesus: “He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.” In previous verses in Acts, Peter writes that this was not regarding David’s body, and that God had told David that one of his descendants would be on His throne. In his own suffering, David got prophetic insight. I wonder: Did David know he was prophesying?
10. First, what does Keller make of the fact that Jesus was quiet during the beatings, during his being nailed to the cross, during his physical suffering but screamed about something else. What was it and what does this tell you?
Jesus was experiencing a separation from God. This tells me that He became our sin, to take it to death on the cross; God could not look upon Him at that moment because Jesus embodied all of our sin. Yet, Jesus was resurrected. Is this why He resurrected Lazarus? To demonstrate “resurrection” so that His disciples would understand, when He was resurrected?
11. Why does Keller say that though Jesus cry of “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” though seeming like He is losing His grip, is the opposite?
Jesus was acknowledging His covenant loyalty to His Father. I have not thought of that ever before! His Relationship was the most important!! Loved this from Keller: When Jesus Christ lost the Father’s presence, at that instant, Jesus was engulfed in absolute freezing, eternal darkness. His soul unraveled infinitely. He experienced absolute infinite spiritual disruption.
12. What was Keller’s point about the story of the crashed airliner into the icy Potomac River?
He went into danger and ultimately gave up his own life, so as many as possible in danger, may live.
13. Infinite faithfulness and infinite suffering = infinite Redemption.
Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery
Read or listen up to “What does it mean practically for us?”
9. What does Acts 2:31 say? What does this well you? – “Being a prophet, David foresaw and spoke of the Christ.” To me this means that Jesus is real. He’s the Almighty God and has been with us from the beginning. Those who know Him, want to speak of him and keep him alive for others to know him. We need to not let him die a senseless death. We need to let others know just how much he loves us and provides our every need.
10. First, what does Keller make of the fact that Jesus was quiet during the beatings, during his being nailed to the cross, during his physical suffering but screamed about something else. What was it and what does this tell you? – He was able to take the pain and suffering, but he was not able to handle the separation from God. This was something new to me when I read that. WOW. But because we were created for relationship, and knowing he was losing that, it was devastating to Jesus. They had been together, as one, from eternity. He knew God in a deep way and losing that pierced his heart.
11. Why does Keller say that though Jesus cry of “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” though seeming like He is losing His grip, is the opposite? – His cry also showed the infinity of his faithfulness. It shows his loyalty to God and of intimacy. Even though Jesus at that instant was in freezing, eternal darkness, experienced infinite spiritual disruption, he was still crying out that he loved God and he was still faithful to him. He was still embracing the covenant he made with God.
12. What was Keller’s point about the story of the crashed airliner into the icy Potomac River? – When danger is around, some people will race in to it, to save others so they can continue to live and be in safety. By doing this, those who rescue us may lose everything and ultimately their own life.
13. Infinite faithfulness and infinite suffering = infinite redemption.
9. What does Acts 2:31 say? What does this well you? That David spoke of the resurrection of Christ and His body not decaying. That David prophesied of the future and which gives understanding why his line would forever reign.
10. First, what does Keller make of the fact that Jesus was quiet during the beatings, during his being nailed to the cross, during his physical suffering but screamed about something else. What was it and what does this tell you? It tells us of the infinity of Christ’s sufferings but He didn’t cry out in pain or anger or blame God.
11. Why does Keller say that though Jesus cry of “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” though seeming like He is losing His grip, is the opposite? That though the loss of relationship with His Father was unbearable as if the sun goes off and we all freeze and that’sJesus soul infinitely unraveled, Jesus remained faithful. My God was an expression of covenant loyalty, faithfulness and intimacy. It was an expression of love as in my child, my dad.
12. What was Keller’s point about the story of the crashed airliner into the icy Potomac River? The man rescued people. He was safe but chose to help those in danger giving them his life and sacrificing his own. When his body was lifted by a crane out of the water, he was on the cross.
13. Infinite faithfulness and infinite suffering = infinite_______redemption. ______________.
Thursday: What does it mean for us?
14. What stood out to me in this section was how Keller showed that the love of God and the holiness of God were both evident at the cross. He showed that there needs to be a knowledge of BOTH.
This resonated with me because of my own conversion. Looking at the cross I saw only the love of God, and there was no transformation.
15, “You see, “… why hast thou forsaken me?” means he was so holy that Jesus had to die. But, “My God, my God …?” means that Jesus was so loving that he was willing to die.”
16. What would you say to someone who believes that Jesus will forgive everyone because He is absolutely loving?
I would ask that person to tell me more about that, why do you say is Jesus absolutely loving. He died for our sins, yes, but why? Why did He give up us His life, why not just forgive without that sacrifice? The Bible tells us about a perfect and holy God who hates sin. In the Bible (Ephesians 2) we read about our sinfulness and hopelessness before that holy God. Someone HAD to die because God is holy.
This is such a hard question for me to answer, Dee. Anything I would day would all depend on the response of the other person. The only thing that would remain the same throughout would be my pointing to scripture.
17. I hate my sin because Jesus HAD to suffer and die for my forgiveness. The wonder of it all is that He DID die, because of His great love for me.
4
Good point Cheryl, “The only thing that would remain the same throughout would be my pointing to scripture.”
I think you have the facts straight and then can be led by the Spirit to that question!
Thursday: What Does It Mean for Us? (Part. I.)
Read or listen up to Part II.
14. What stands out and why
—Everything Keller said here stands out. The whole point is summed up in the statement
“Because the cry on the cross forces me to see that the God of the Bible, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, is absolutely holy and absolutely loving at the same time.”
God is not either / or as many people want to think.
15. How does Jesus’ cry show the absolute holiness and the absolute love of God?
—At the death of Jesus his being forsaken by his Holy heavenly Father and having to die was the result of facing a holy God. But the absolute perfect love of God was lived out by Jesus in his willingness to die. This is very deep theological truth. But when it is embraced it transforms the heart.
16. What would you say to someone who believes that Jesus will forgive everyone because He is absolutely loving?
—I understand the premise here of needing to correct wrong thinking and I might try if challenged. But honestly I found it kind of hard to articulate. If someone has bought into that position theologically and chooses to believe their view of God my arguments are probably going to be lost on them because they have already decided and think they are smarter than God and the scriptures which frankly make it clear that God is holy. It makes me sad the lies that can abound within the church.
17. How does this help you to hate your sins but not hate yourself?
—The fact that my sin required and led to the death of my gracious loving Savior Jesus and reveals what a true reprobate I am in this flesh makes me hate my sin. But the incredible reality that I was loved so deeply and of infinite worth to Jesus that he did it and went to the Cross to set me free and accomplished it for the joy to come is wonderful beyond words.
This truth Keller presents here brings wonderful balance and security to my heart and mind spiritually.
Have you heard Keller’s analogy with the broken lamp to help answer that response?
No I’m not familiar with that illustration??
He said when wrong is done someone always has to pay. If a friend breaks your lamp, either he replaces the lamp, or you do, or you live without a lamp. That’s how it is with sin and justice. There is always a cost. I don’t know if that would help with this argument or not, however. 🙂
Thursday: What Does It Mean for Us? (Part. I.)
Read or listen up to Part II.
14. What stands out and why?
It stood out to me that a sentence/cry with just 9 words could be so important to how much the cross impacts and can bring transformation to our lives. But, the understanding of those words, something I’ve never thought about, is so key to real change.
15. How does Jesus’ cry show the absolute holiness and the absolute love of God?
”Why hast Thou forsaken Me,” means He was so holy that Jesus had to die for me. Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb who took on all the sin of the world and at that time, because God is holy and can’t look upon sin, Jesus at that moment felt forsaken because of being separated from God.
”My God, My God,” means that Jesus was so loving that He was willing to die. His love and intimacy with the Father led to His obedience and His love for us led Him to the cross. Jesus knew that His dying for our sin was the only thing that could reconcile us to God, the Father.
16. What would you say to someone who believes that Jesus will forgive everyone because He is absolutely loving?
I have had this conversation and my response was, what do you do with the holiness of God? And their response was, well, I believe He can be loving and holy. I then asked them, how can a holy God who cannot look upon sin be forgiving and loving? It then brought the conversation to what and why Jesus went through for us on the cross. He had to give His life, which is ultimate love so that our sins could be forgiven.
17. How does this help you to hate your sins but not hate yourself?
I think Keller puts this beautifully…”It makes me hate my sins because it led to His death. But it forbids me to hate myself because He did it for me, to make me free.”
Those nine words explaining the reason Jesus came was thought-provoking for me too.
Beautiful and concise, Sharon. ”It makes me hate my sins because it led to His death. But it forbids me to hate myself because He did it for me, to make me free.”
I also love your conversation in 16!! What a beautiful gift you have to draw others to Jesus.
14. What stands out and why? The galvanizing comments. The transformation comes in us when we understand the great cost of our holy, loving God to bring us to Himself because of great cost to His Son, the Lamb without blemish.
15. How does Jesus’ cry show the absolute holiness and the absolute love of God? He died for my sin and felt rejected by God but yet He called out to God, didn’t curse or scorn Him. He cried out to Him. So God who is perfect, pure and holy allowed the only sinless man to suffer, die and pay for my sin. That was done out of love for me. That love is almost incomprehensible to me, but I know that it is true.
16. What would you say to someone who believes that Jesus will forgive everyone because He is absolutely loving? The grace I have received is not cheap grace. It came with the cost of Jesus suffering, scorn, humiliation and painful death to pay the price for my sins. If Jesus was going to forgive everyone anyway, there is no reason for Him to have been crucified. Instead He chose absolute surrender to free me from the penalty of death for my sins if I believe He and His way is the only way to the Father in Heaven.
17. How does this help you to hate your sins but not hate yourself? To bury my head in my hands and remember the great cost for my sin but that Jesus considered me worth it.
9. What does Acts 2:31 say? What does this well you?
Peter says that David foreshadows Christ. He says that David saw a “greater David” who would go “… through a greater suffering, a greater abandonment by God, a greater deliverance that would lead to an everlasting kingdom.”
It tells me that David knew that God was with him in the suffering and would help him. It gave him hope. It tells me the same thing.
10. First, what does Keller make of the fact that Jesus was quiet during the beatings, during his being nailed to the cross, during his physical suffering but screamed about something else. What was it and what does this tell you?
He screamed that He was abandoned by the Father. That was worse than any of the physical pain to Him. He needed God more than He needed His body. He didn’t cry out about His hands, head, or feet. He cried out because of His loss of the Father.
We were meant to have the presence of God with us. We need Him as Jesus did.
11. Why does Keller say that though Jesus cry of “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” though seeming like He is losing His grip, is the opposite?
He is saying “My God…” It is intimate. He is saying He still loves Him. He has a covenant loyalty to the Father. A commitment. He is faithful.
12. What was Keller’s point about the story of the crashed airliner into the icy Ptoomoac River?
A man was rescuing people one by one until he succumbed and died. He gave his life so others could have theirs.
13. Infinite faithfulness and infinite suffering = infinite_______redemption______________.
Friday: what does this mean for us, part 2
18. We have a companion in suffering. Jesus suffered unimaginably on the cross, and experienced separation from the Father (abandonment). “…why have you forsaken me?!” Jesus completely understands and enters into our own distress thru the indwelling Spirit.
19. I haven’t felt abandoned by God.
21. Give one example of how God has redeemed your suffering.
A few years after the death of my daughter in a car accident, the teenage son of a couple at church died unexpectedly. My husband and I went to their home, and the mother greeted me with the words, “I KNEW you’d come. I’ve been waiting for you.”
She knew that I would understand, just as we know the Lord companions with us. He was using me to bring some comfort to another suffering mother.
This is so beautiful, Cheryl Ann. The comfort of one who has been there, heals us so much because we know that person truly understands. I love how the Lord can even use our pain to encourage others. Thank you for sharing this. A few years after the death of my daughter in a car accident, the teenage son of a couple at church died unexpectedly. My husband and I went to their home, and the mother greeted me with the words, “I KNEW you’d come. I’ve been waiting for you.”
She knew that I would understand, just as we know the Lord companions with us. He was using me to bring some comfort to another suffering mother.
Oh my goodness — this from Cheryl:
A few years after the death of my daughter in a car accident, the teenage son of a couple at church died unexpectedly. My husband and I went to their home, and the mother greeted me with the words, “I KNEW you’d come. I’ve been waiting for you.” She knew that I would understand, just as we know the Lord companions with us. He was using me to bring some comfort to another suffering mother.
Wow-Cheryl Ann! Your testimony of how God used your grief to bring comfort to another is beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with us.
14. What stands out and why?
15. How does Jesus’ cry show the absolute holiness and the absolute love of God?
You can’t have one without the other. The Holiness is shown because He had to die. He had to die or we wouldn’t receive.
The love is shown because He died for us. He did it because He wanted us to be with Him, in heaven.
16. What would you say to someone who believes that Jesus will forgive everyone because He is absolutely loving?
Hmmmm, I’m pondering this myself. Most of the people I know think God is angry and expects perfection.
So, I like Keller’s approach in asking a question. Maybe I would say something like, “I’ve learned, I’m my lifetime, that God is both loving AND forgiving. He died on the cross so that I can be saved. He took my sin on Himself so I can be with Him in eternity. That shows me that yes, He is loving, but it also show me that He forgives me.”
17. How does this help you to hate your sins but not hate yourself?
Well, He loves me enough to separate me, the person, from my sins. If I can see that I am loved just because I’m loved, for just being me, then the sin can be removed from that and put in its own little container of sorts to be hated. I guess? 🤷🏻♀️
Your response to 16 is interesting! Esp as you work at a public school — right?
Yep….people want to justify their actions instead of accept responsibility for them.
Okay — I understand.
Wednesday: The Solution to the Mystery
Read or listen up to “What does it mean practically for us?”
9. What does Acts 2:31 say? What does this well you?
Peter said of David’s Psalm 22, “Being a prophet, David foresaw and spoke of the Christ.”. There is a greater David who would come, suffer, and be abandoned by God, the Father but would deliver his people through his death.
10. First, what does Keller make of the fact that Jesus was quiet during the beatings, during his being nailed to the cross, during his physical suffering but screamed about something else. What was it and what does this tell you?
It wasn’t about his hands, feet, or skull, as excruciating as that must have been, it was being abandoned by the Father. There is no greater loss than the loss of love from the One who has been united with you for eternity.
11. Why does Keller say that though Jesus cry of “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” though seeming like He is losing His grip, is the opposite?
Jesus was not losing his grip. He still has His “grip” on God’s faithful covenant and intimacy. The word, “my” signifies His intimate relationship with the Father.
12. What was Keller’s point about the story of the crashed airliner into the icy Potomac River?
Someone has to be given up so others can be kept. The man who kept rescuing one person after another from the icy water gave up his life so others would live.
13. Infinite faithfulness and infinite suffering = infinite redemption.
I thought about the meaning of this in light of what is going on with some friends of ours. I pray they would look to the one who has infinite faithfulness and suffered infinitely to give anybody who calls on his name infinite redemption. Our friends’ situation can be redeemed. nothing is too difficult for God.
Amen Bing…nothing is too difficult for God!!
Amen to Sharon!
Friday: What Does It Mean for Us? (Part. II.)
Read or listen to the end.
18. Explain how this psalm show that we have a companion in suffering.
—From his cry on the Cross we hear that Jesus was abandoned by God and truly suffered that horrible separation from God his Father. Therefore God fully understands what suffering feels like and He enters into our suffering with as Keller says His compassionate love. He weeps with those who weep and becomes the greatest possible companion.
19. Have you ever felt abandoned by God? How did you handle it? What happened?
— I have always believed He was a God who was present everywhere and that He cares. So I can’t say I personally have had a time in my life that I felt God had abandoned me or left me all alone in suffering like some others I know.
But the times I have felt abandoned are when my own sin has broken my fellowship with Him and it created a sense of separation. Sin stood between us and it was out of that misery I sought Him out for forgiveness and found he is the perfect companion Who understands and comes in and brings his own righteousness into my need to cleanse me and restore me.
20. What have your learned from this psalm about what to do when you feel that way?
—I have learned to turn to and seek God and I have the promise from him that he will be found.
It is Jesus Who comes into my life with a perfect compassionate love to redeem and makes right what is wrong. I also see and know the Bible itself as God’s Word has been a crucial part of healing for me and Him revealing himself to me in my need.
21. Give one illustration of how God has redeemed your suffering.
—In my younger years I had a problem with being too self righteous and too judgmental about other’s sin. When I was allowed to feel the weight of my own sinfulness and couldn’t change or save myself out of it I finally came to understand just what it was that Christ had done and experienced on the Cross. And it was there I gained my hope for my own redemption from sin and for my future. On the Cross Jesus suffered for my sin and the sin of the world and for the joy set before Him he endured it all and now is the perfect Companion in any kind of suffering.
The fruit of that in my life is that seeing others in their sin I want them to know about Him and his saving grace. There is hope for all in Jesus.
Thank you for sharing your testimony, Bev. ❤
Bev…agree with Cheryl Ann! Appreciate your honesty and can relate to how you were in your younger years.
Thank you for sharing your testimony, Bev. I can relate and I am thankful that He has continued to shine a light on my sin, as painful as that is.
14. What stands out and why?
15. How does Jesus’ cry show the absolute holiness and the absolute love of God?
16. What would you say to someone who believes that Jesus will forgive everyone because He is absolutely loving?
17. How does this help you to hate your sins but not hate yourself?
Friday: What Does It Mean for Us? (Part. II.)
Read or listen to the end.
18. Explain how this psalm show that we have a companion in suffering.
Reading this question reminded me of 1 Peter 2:21…”For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you should follow in His steps.”
19. Have you ever felt abandoned by God? How did you handle it? What happened?
Yes, when I lost a child. It was at least a year of anger, depression, questions and crying out. I ended up in a Bible study in James and through James 1:2-3, much prayer from my parents and in-laws and the grace of God I somehow made it through.
20. What have you learned from this psalm about what to do when you feel that way?
Remember what Christ did for me and know that He understands my pain…I am not alone!
21. Give one illustration of how God has redeemed your suffering.
He helped me grow through my suffering.
Oh, Sharon, I’m so sorry you went through that pain. It is such an encouragement to read how the Lord met you thru His Word and the loving prayers support of your parents, in-laws, and I’m sure other friends. You’ve shown how the Lord is faithful even in our distress. Thank you for sharing.
I always love hearing about your dear parents-in-law.
Dear Sharon, Such terrible heartache to endure. Thank you for sharing this and for the hope and healing that only God can give. So thankful for His Word and your supportive family.
Sharon, losing your child is unimaginable. What you shared made me more thankful for our daughter.
Sharon I can’t even imagine the pain. Thank you for sharing. I absolutely LOVE your new picture! So cool 😉
My takeaway this week isn’t so much about the study. It’s more about this study group. I am so very thankful that we are traveling together. Reading each comment has enriched my spiritual life.
Keller was the springboard, Dee pushed us with questions, and our comments propelled us even higher.
I have a deeper understanding of Jesus, His faithfulness and suffering for MY redemption.
Amen!! Amen! Cheryl Ann!
18. Explain how this psalm show that we have a companion in suffering.
God weeps with us. He suffered when Jesus was on the cross. He knows and feels our pain.
19. Have you ever felt abandoned by God? How did you handle it? What happened?
Yes, sometimes during small things and sometimes (worse) during major events in my life. I handled it differently. During a few of the major events, when I cried out like the Psalmist, He answered me immediately. During the smaller events, or those that were just painful, but enduring, He seemed(s) slower to answer me. Or doesn’t answer at all. It’s like He is saying, “Stay the course; all is well.”
I think of the grands. What a long, sometimes painful event in my (our) life. I know that sounds bad, as much as I love them, I do not have a grandparent relationship with them. I wonder what that would be like? Then, we also have another grand we have never been “allowed” to know. Long story there, and my husband is partly to blame. I’m not sure God even acknowledges that situation. I can pray for the two of them (husband and oldest son), but nothing changes. We are not in contact and there is no inkling we will ever be again. So sad to me.
So, it’s a seeming “crap-shoot” as to whether God is with mentor not! It is out of my hands. I have to “Trust and Obey” (“For there’s no other way…”) as the old hymn touts.
https://open.spotify.com/track/1pB0uLHifv66pukzMZ94fj?si=OSRkh5O8TESBKV-E7mW8Hg&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Atrust%2Band%2Bobey
20. What have your learned from this psalm about what to do when you feel that way?
Keller talks about when he has felt suffering, he has grown from it. Jesus’ cry on the cross gives us a future. Suffering is not permanent. It will subside, in God’s timing. A long endured suffering produces character, creativity (poetry and song), compassion for others and regality is formed. Things flow out of putting Jesus in the center of our pain.
I am to remember that Jesus had the ultimate abandonment and that my “abandonment” is superficial; it’s an apparent abandonment.
21. Give one illustration of how God has redeemed your suffering.
God has made beauty from ashes, from our daughters poor choices for her life. Our grands are a blessing to us. He has given us a second chance to do it better (raising kids) this time. He has given me more family, since I only have my sister and brother left, both older, and one addicted to alcohol.
Love “Trust and Obey”. Thank you for sharing, Laura.
Saturday:
22. What is your take-a-way and why?
—I was blessed by these comments from Anne Graham Lotz. They just seemed appropriate to Psalm 22.
Jesus Weeps with You
In all their affliction He was afflicted; . . . in His love and in His pity He redeemed them.
Isaiah 63:9, NKJV
When was the last time you wept into your pillow at night, thinking no one cared? Is the pain so deep and your hurt so great that you cry night after night? In your misery and loneliness, do you think Jesus is emotionally detached? That He just doesn’t care? Or that He’s simply too busy to notice? Or that He is somewhat callous since He sees a lot of pain that’s worse than yours? Or that He couldn’t possibly understand how you feel? Or that He’s not concerned enough to meet your needs?
Did you know that Jesus weeps with you? Did you know He puts all your tears in a bottle because they are precious to Him? (Ps. 56:8, NKJV) He has said in all of your afflictions, He Himself is afflicted. Why? Because He understands! And He loves you!
Your suffering is His.
Your grief is His.
Your tears are on His face!
I love your take away, Bev.
Thank you, bev, for sharing the thoughts from Anne Graham Lotz. “Your tears are on His face.”
14. What stands out and why?
When I know that I am the recipient of Jesus costly grace and that He went to hell’s heart for me, His was Loving and Obedient for me, it humbles me out of my pride and self-centeredness, and yet it affirms me out of my inferiority and self pity at the same time.
15. How does Jesus’ cry show the absolute holiness and the absolute love of God?
Jesus led a pure and Holy life, He was a man of sorrow, yet He lived a life of absolute Love. He took on all of our sin and debt, in His absolute love and died a death of horrible suffering on the Cross, for each of us, that we may not lose our eternal lives.
16. What would you say to someone who believes that Jesus will forgive everyone because He is absolutely loving?
Jesus was the only one to every lead a sin-free life, yet He died a sinner’s death…the death that I deserved. This was the cost of His absolute Love for us. He was purely Holy and yet was willing to take on our sin, so the Father had to turn from Him when He was on the cross. His Grace is a free gift to us, but to accept that free gift, we must accept all of Him, His Holiness that He died for us and His pure love that He loved us enough to do that for us. If we accept Him, we want to live our lives to honor that gift He gave us. We honor that gift by sharing His love with others; by giving up our egos; by giving up our right to “be right”; by listening to the needs of others; by living by faith; and desiring to Honor Him in all we think, do and speak. (hopefully, this makes sense) Our behavior and love of others speaks loudly, so I must always remember who I represent. I pray that I do Jesus honor in my thoughts, words and deeds. So so hard.
17. How does this help you to hate your sins but not hate yourself?
Because of Jesus’s obedience to the Father, His love for me and His hatred of sin, He paid a price for my sins, so that I may live free. I love Him and I desire to be better because of my love of Him and what He gave for me. I want to, in turn, dedicate my life to Him. I fail so often, like the minute I wake up, yet my desire it to love Him more deeply and follow Him more closely every day.
Thursday: What Does It Mean for Us? (Part. I.)
Read or listen up to Part II.
14. What stands out and why?
Three ways … I want to look at how Jesus’ cry affects your personal transformation, your experience of suffering, and the feeling sometimes that God abandons us. Your personal transformation, the experience of suffering, and the feeling that God sometimes abandons us.
15. How does Jesus’ cry show the absolute holiness and the absolute love of God?
God was so holy he had to die and He was so loving that He was willing to die.
16. What would you say to someone who believes that Jesus will forgive everyone because He is absolutely loving?
God is absolutely holy. We are sinners and therefore separated from Him. He is loving consequently He sent His son to die for our sins so we can be forgiven of our sins and not be separated from a holy God. Jesus paid that price. The Cross is evidence of God’s holiness and His love for mankind.
17. How does this help you to hate your sins but not hate yourself?
Tim Keller said we should hate our sins because it led to His death, (thank you, Jesus! And thank you, Tim, for articulating these things) and I should not hate myself because He loved me enough to die for me and to set me free. Hating myself nullifies His sacrifice.
Friday: What Does It Mean for Us? (Part. II.)
Read or listen to the end.
18. Explain how this psalm show that we have a companion in suffering.
Jesus suffered on the cross. He was separated from the Father.
19. Have you ever felt abandoned by God? How did you handle it? What happened?
My father was diagnosed with mental illness when I was in college. He lost his job, and my Mom took on the responsibility to see that the three of us went to college and graduated with our degrees. Dad passed away 2 months before my wedding. Richard and I left for the U.S. 2 months after our wedding. The 10 years it took for all these things to happen had me floundering in my faith and led me through difficult paths that rattled my faith in who I believe God is. I did not handle things very well and have asked God so many why questions.
20. What have your learned from this psalm about what to do when you feel that way?
In hindsight, I realized He never abandoned me; I was the one who moved away from Him thinking I had to fend for myself. Upon this realization, I have learned to press in closer to God rather than to run away from Him. He has used a few people to help me at critical periods of my life.
21. Give one illustration of how God has redeemed your suffering.
I feel like the years of suffering have helped shape me to be the nurse and teacher I am now. He helped me find my calling among the elderly, the mentally sick, and the poor. More than these is the greater appreciation of what Christ has done for me.